Key Points
- Meta to train 1,000 Pakistani SMEs this year
- Programme includes AI and digital marketing tools
- Pakistan finalising e-commerce and AI policies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has invited Meta to expand its engagement in the country’s digital economy as the social media and technology company prepares to train 1,000 Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in artificial intelligence (AI) and online business tools.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan extended the invitation during a meeting in Islamabad with a Meta delegation led by Tehara Punchihewa, Asia-Pacific Public Policy, and Vivian Liang, Policy Programs Manager for Asia-Pacific, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.
Meta said its Small Business Growth Academy will provide free training to 1,000 SMEs between August and November 2026. The programme, to be implemented by AtomCamp, will focus on Meta’s digital platforms, AI-powered business applications and online marketing strategies.
The company said the initiative is intended to strengthen digital capabilities, improve market access and support women entrepreneurs and businesses in smaller cities through a combination of in-person and online sessions.
Jam Kamal said the government was placing digitisation at the centre of its economic reform agenda and is working to improve governance, service delivery and competitiveness through technology adoption.
Pakistan’s e-commerce policy
He said the government is finalising a national e-commerce policy, while a broader artificial intelligence policy is also under development to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-led growth.
The minister said AI should be viewed as more than a conversational technology, adding that it could support policy analysis, business intelligence, data-driven decision-making and public-sector efficiency.
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He added that a young population, rising smartphone penetration and an expanding digital economy offered significant opportunities for global technology companies to partner with the government in digital skills development and entrepreneurship support.
Jam Kamal encouraged Meta to work closely with the Directorate General of Trade Organisations, chambers of commerce and trade associations to maximise the reach of the SME training programme. He said the Ministry of Commerce would facilitate institutional linkages across the country’s business community.
The minister also cited the country’s existing digital partnerships with global technology companies, including Alibaba Group and Google, and said the government welcomed further cooperation with Meta in areas such as digital literacy, SME development and e-commerce.
Both sides agreed to maintain engagement on initiatives aimed at strengthening digital skills and supporting small businesses.
